Multi-method monitoring of Glacier d’Argentière dynamics

Abstract

Abstract The flow of Glacier d’Argentière, French Alps, has been extensively studied by glaciologists for >100 years, but high-temporal- and high-spatial-resolution monitoring of its dynamics has rarely been carried out. In this paper, the terminal part of the main glacier was selected to undertake such a survey. The 2 month experiment (September–November 2013) included remote sensing to map the velocity field of the whole area, and a network of in situ measurements to record the ice velocity at the surface as well as at the base of the glacier with high precision and at high temporal resolution. These monitoring methods are combined to produce a comprehensive and reliable picture of the ice flow. Basal and surface in situ measurements are used to precisely monitor the temporal variability of the ice flow at a section of the glacier where crevassed areas and non-cracked ice coexist. The achieved results are an innovative and efficient tool to investigate the acceleration/deceleration pattern heterogeneities in ice flow that occur after heavy rainfall.